From the Guidelines
Trauma to a Nexplanon implant can potentially cause nausea and vomiting, and if you are experiencing these symptoms after trauma to the implant area, you should contact your healthcare provider immediately. The symptoms could be related to the implant being damaged or displaced, leading to irregular hormone release, or they might be unrelated to the implant trauma and indicate another medical issue. While waiting to see your provider, you can try taking over-the-counter anti-nausea medications like dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) 50mg every 4-6 hours or ginger supplements, and stay hydrated with small sips of clear fluids 1. The Nexplanon implant contains etonogestrel, a synthetic progestin hormone, and any disruption to its steady release could potentially cause hormonal fluctuations that affect your digestive system. Some studies suggest that prophylactic analgesia with paracetamol can reduce the incidence of nausea and vomiting 1. If you experience severe pain at the implant site, visible damage to the skin, or if the implant appears to be protruding, seek medical attention immediately. It's also important to note that the use of antiemetic prophylaxis, such as ondansetron or dexamethasone, can be effective in reducing nausea and vomiting, especially in high-risk patients 2. However, the most recent and highest quality study recommends routine screening for the risk of nausea and vomiting and treatment given as needed, with a strong recommendation for this approach 1. Key considerations for managing nausea and vomiting include:
- Contacting your healthcare provider immediately if you experience symptoms after trauma to the Nexplanon implant area
- Trying over-the-counter anti-nausea medications or ginger supplements while waiting to see your provider
- Staying hydrated with small sips of clear fluids
- Seeking medical attention immediately if you experience severe pain or visible damage to the skin
- Considering prophylactic analgesia with paracetamol to reduce nausea and vomiting.
From the Research
Nexplanon Implant Trauma and Nausea Vomiting
- There is limited research directly linking Nexplanon implant trauma to nausea and vomiting.
- However, studies have investigated the effects of various medications on nausea and vomiting in different contexts, such as postoperative nausea and vomiting 3, 4, 5 and nausea and vomiting during pregnancy 4, 6.
- A study on the Nexplanon Observational Risk Assessment (NORA) found that procedure-related events, including insertion and removal of the implant, were rare and generally did not result in serious injury 7.
- While the available evidence does not directly address the relationship between Nexplanon implant trauma and nausea vomiting, it suggests that nausea and vomiting can be associated with various medical procedures and conditions, and that certain medications may be effective in preventing or treating these symptoms 3, 4, 5, 6.